Disclaimer: Do not own anything McLeod's Daughters belongs to channel 9, and the writers and creators apart from Abby, Lily and Charlie.
A silence had descended on the group that stood outside Drovers Run, Abby nervously tapped her foot on the ground. 'Perhaps we should get all of Charlotte's stuff inside.' Abby told then picking up the nearest bag and heading inside. Jodi picked up the other bag that was left and headed inside with Abby and Charlotte.
As Abby and Jodi walked inside with Charlotte Tess turned to Alex, 'Did you know that Abby and Claire had met up?'
Alex shook his head, 'Claire didn't say anything to me about it.' Alex told her. If he was honest with himself he was more then a little mystified by the whole thing why would neither Claire or Abby mention the fact that had met up in the city?, why hadn't Claire told him she met Abby when they were in the city?, why hadn't Abby met him while she was there?. Alex was full of questions. 'Nick do you know anything about this?' Alex asked his younger brother, if anyone was to know everything about this it would be Nick Alex thought, he knew how close Abby and Nick were.
Nick shook his head, ' Abby's never said anything about it before.'
'I don't understand why would she keep something like this a secret.' Tess thought out loud.
'Maybe she thought you already knew.' Stevie told her, although she was pretty sure that, that wasn't true.
Tess glanced over at Stevie giving her a look that said exactly what Stevie thought.
'It doesn't make sense surely Claire would of said something.' Tess said.
'Well maybe she forgot to mention it what with everything that was going on.' Meg spoke up referring to Tess's cancer scare.
'Maybe.' Tess said.
'You know if you just ask her I'm sure she'll tell you all about.' Nick told them before he headed off in the direction of the house. The others thought about this for a few moments before following him in.
Meanwhile Jodi had been questioning Abby about what the rest of them wanted to know.
Abby placed the bag on inside the dinning room before heading out to the veranda closely followed by Jodi. Abby gently placed Charlotte on the floor as the child began to play with the toys set out for her. Abby sat down on the floor next to Abby and Jodi sat down on the other side. Nothing was said between the girls until Abby spoke up.
'Out with it Jodi.'
'What!' Jodi exclaimed in surprise.
'I know your dying to say something so out with it.'
Jodi took a moment before she poke again. Why didn't you say anything, why'd you lie?'
'I didn't lie I just I just neglect to mention it.' Abby told Jodi. 'Besides I've only been back a week it's not exactly cropped up in conversation you know.'
'So why didn't Claire say anything when she came back from the city?' Jodi asked. 'It just doesn't sound like something she would keep secret.'
Abby glanced up from playing with Charlotte and looked over at Jodi. 'She was under a lot of pressure what with everything that was going on with Tess and we kind of decided that it was best not to tell anyone for the moment.
'Why?' Jodi asked
Abby sighed before she launched into a brief summary of the reason behind her and Claire's actions.
'You won't say anything will you?' Abby asked Jodi.
Jodi looked at Abby slightly bemused at why she shouldn't say anything, it was hardly the devastating reason that she thought it would be.
'Jodi.'
Just then the crowd that Abby and Jodi had left out front minus Nick joined them. Abby looked over at Jodi silently asking for an answer.
'Ok, ok, I won't say anything.' Jodi agreed in a half whisper.
'Thanks.' Abby mouthed. There was a slight uncomfortable ness, no one really knew what to say but before anyone had the courage to speak up Nick rejoined the group.
'That was Harry.' He told Alex. 'He needs both of us back as Killarney right away so we better make a move.'
'I was gonna take a day off, spend some time with Charlie, we'd talked about it .What's happened that he needs us so bad anyway?'
'Seems that a couple of the station hands have come down with some kind of food poisoning so he needs the extra pair of hands, we're gonna be pretty flat out.' Alex tried in vain to hide his disappointment, he sighed.
Abby looked over at Alex his happy demeanour was now gone, he had so been looking forward to Charlotte's visit Abby thought.
'I can do you jobs for you if you want? Abby offered.
Alex looked over at Abby slightly surprised at her offer. 'Are you sure?' He asked.
Abby nodded.
'It won't be to much for you?' Alex asked. This question drew several looks from everyone around him, almost as soon as he said it Alex realised how stupid it sounded.
Abby looked at Alex slightly bemused at his question. 'I think that I might just be able to cope, I mean I've only being doing for the past oh I don't eighteen years or so.' Abby said in a slightly teasing tone.
Alex pulled a face at Abby's teasing. 'I didn't mean it like that.' Alex said.
'I know.' Abby laughed. 'Best be going if Harry needs us.' Abby told Nick as she got up to leave. 'So uh see you guys later.' She bent own and placed a kiss on top of Charlotte's head. 'Bye bye Charlotte.' Abby waved and Charlotte waved back.
'Right let's go.' Abby said to Nick gently slapping his shoulder before heading towards the Ute hoping to avoid any questions before about Claire before she went.
'I uh best go.' Nick told the rest of the crowd before he caught up with Abby.
'What was that all about in there.' Nick asked Abby as they opened a door to the Ute.
'Nothing.' Replied Abby as they got in.
'What about this thing with Claire, why didn't you say anything?' Nick asked.
Abby shrugged, 'I don't know.'
Nick looked over at Abby he knew not push the subject, that she would tell him when she was ready. He started the Ute and drove back to Killarney in silence.